Cuban leader criticizes Obama U.N. speech

Ex-Cuban leader Fidel Castro, seen here on April 19, 2011, has been largely silent in the last few months.

Story highlights

Fidel Castro calls Obama's speech "gibberish"

It was his first so-called "Reflection" essay in nearly three months

Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro ended a long writing hiatus Monday, penning a three-page essay printed in state media slamming U.S. President Barack Obama's speech to the United Nations last week.

"Who understands the gibberish of the President of the United States speaking before the United Nations?" Castro wrote in his so-called "Reflection."

He also accused NATO of "monstrous crimes" in Libya and wrote that in Syria, "Yankee aggression could lead to an even more terrifying massacre than in Libya."

It was Castro's first Reflection in almost three months. The 85-year-old former leader has been largely out of view and silent for the last couple of months, fueling renewed speculation about a downturn in his health. His younger brother, Raul Castro, assumed the presidency in 2008 after Fidel Castro had emergency surgery.